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Biomimetic controls over the formation of functional materials using sequence-defined macromolecules


EMSL Project ID
61076

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is to utilize the capabilities of EMSL to investigate the self-assembly of sequence-defined macromolecules, such as proteins and peptoids, into hierarchical materials and their controls over the formation of inorganic crystals including CaCO3 polymorphs, with the goal of achieving the predictive synthesis of functional materials with designed properties and hierarchical structures. This work proposes to combine some unique capabilities at EMSL: (i) EMSL high-resolution ETEM and STEM-EDS with (ii) advanced liquid-cell TEM resources capabilities, (iii) SEM-EDX capabilities, (iv) AFM combined with fluorescence microscopy capabilities, (v) in situ ATR-FTIR, (vi) High-resolution environmental TEM, and (vii) cryo-EM which allows the size, morphology, and polymorphs observations of nanocrystals and self-assembly of bio- and biomimetic macromolecules. These capabilities will help us determine the roles of macromolecules in the molecular self-assembly and bio-controlled crystal formation and control the intermolecular and molecule-surface interactions, providing molecular details for understanding bio-controlled inorganic material formation. We believe results generated from this study will provide the basis for future DOE BER funding of research into the bio-controlled nanomaterial formation process, such as the BER’s focus in the Next Biology Initiative for genome-encoded synthesis of functional materials.

Project Details

Project type
Contracted Time
Start Date
N/A
End Date
N/A
Status
Accepted

Team

Principal Investigator

Chunlong Chen
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Co-Investigator(s)

James De Yoreo
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Progyateg Chakma
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Ying Xia
Institution
University of Washington

Shuai Zhang
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Alexander Bard
Institution
University of Washington